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Q Is it legal to use a rope for towing a
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rigid vehicle fitted with air brakes and a mechanical air brake, when the engine is not running ?
Is it legal to use a rope for towing a rigid vehicle fitted with servo-assisted (vacuum) brakes and a mechanical handbrake when the engine is not running ?
Can a rope be used in, either of the above cases if the engines are running and the brakes are working efficiently?
What type of bar should be used for towing a rigid vehicle fitted with full air brakes (air handbrake) when the engine is not running ? Should it be an 'A' bar or a straight bar?
Is there any maximum overall length of towing and towed vehicle together Does the law require the fitting of an "ON TOW" plate to the rear of the vehicles? Does the law require any kind or markers to be fitted to a rope between two vehicles?
A In principle, your first three questions can be answered in one. There are no regulations which prevent a rope being used for towing in any of the three circumstances mentioned. However, when towing a disabled vehicle reasonable safety precautions should be observed because Section 76 of the 1969 Construction and Use Regulations requires that -A motor vehicle, every trailer drawn thereby and all parts and accessories of such vehicle and trailer shall at all times be in such condition, and the number of passengers carried by such vehicle or trailer, the manner in which any passengers are carried in or on such vehicle or trailer, and the weight, distribution, packing and adjustment of the load of such vehicle or trailer shall at all times be such that no danger is caused or is likely to be caused to any person in or on the vehicle or trailer or on a road" ; and also requires that "no motor vehicle or trailer shall be used for any purpose for which it is so unsuitable as to cause or be likely to cause danger to any person in or on the vehicle or trailer or on a road".
In the same way that no regulations exist regarding ropes, there is no specification for rigid tow bars or their use. It is a question of choice by the operator concerned, depending on his assessment of the particular circumstances.
The maximum length of any combinations must not exceed '18 metres (59ft 0.75in). For the purposes of these requirements a disabled vehicle on tow is considered to be a trailer and the maximum length quoted is that applying to lorry and trailer combinations.
Regulations specify that the distance between two vehicles when one of them is being towed must not exceed 15ft and when the distance exceeds 5ft the tow rope, or bar, must be made "clearly visible to other persons using the road within a reasonable distance from either side of either vehicle".
Plates carrying the legend 'ON TOW' are not legally required on a vehicle being towed but to carry them is a measure of safety for other road users, and their use is to be encouraged.